Takeaways: Republicans and Democrats propose dueling tax-cut plans in the Kansas Legislature that could spend down a surplus and set policy for a generation. The Republican plan includes things the Democratic governor has said she’ll never sign. The Democrats’ plan lacks items that Republicans say are must-haves. Yet even as each side says the other’s […]
State Government
Posted inHealth, State Government
Pregnancy is deadlier if you’re Black. Missouri wants to shrink maternal mortality rates
Takeaways: Traci Dancy got pregnant with her first daughter at age 30. She didn’t have diabetes, high cholesterol or any other conditions that added extra danger to her pregnancy. Still, she worried. “As a person of color, I am very aware of the dangers and risks,” said Dancy, who lives in Lee’s Summit with her […]
Posted inState Government
When the Chiefs win, Kansas Citians shoot their guns skyward. A lawmaker wants the team to speak out
Every year — on New Year’s Eve, July 4, when a sports team wins a championship — police and politicians practically beg people not to fire their guns into the air in celebration. In Kansas City, reports of shots fired go up when the NFL playoffs roll around. Meanwhile, a proposal to slightly strengthen the […]
Posted inState Government
Here’s how Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wants to spend the state’s tax dollars
Takeaways: The Kansas budget would include the largest single-year investment in child care under the plan set out by Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday The governor’s recommendations are just one step in the lengthy process of setting a final budget. Proposals to expand Medicaid and invest more in special education and her tax-cut plans draw […]
Posted inEnvironment, State Government
An EPA grant is helping Kansas foster kids get environmental jobs
Takeaways: A growing program in Kansas and Missouri aims to set up more kids for environmental jobs — and it’s focusing on foster kids. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is spending more than $450,000 to help foster children in the two states land environmental jobs. Those kids spend days in the classroom studying for key […]
Posted inState Government
Kansas Republicans want a flat tax. Here’s why it may not happen
Takeaways: The path to a Republican-led tax cut looks murky one day into the Kansas legislative session after three key lawmakers signaled they back the competing tax plan pushed by the Democratic governor. Republicans came close to passing a single-rate flat-tax plan last year that would have taxed everyone’s income at 5.15% if they make […]
Posted inState Government
Kansas lawmakers have a budget surplus and want tax cuts. Here’s what they’re thinking for 2024
Takeaways: Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka with a $2 billion-plus surplus and competing ideas on how to spend it. Republicans want things the state’s Democratic governor is sure to veto, and Democrats don’t have the legislative clout to pass their plans. The Beacon asked Republican and Democratic leadership what their priorities are for this session, […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, State Government
DIY Democracy: How to follow the 2024 Missouri General Assembly
Members of the 2024 Missouri General Assembly begin their spring legislative session in January. Much of the work happens behind closed doors, but floor debates, bill hearings and other legislative happenings are easy to tune into online. Lawmakers meet from January to May, with an occasional extra session if the governor decides a topic is […]
Posted inHealth, Local Government, State Government
The outlook for 10 things Kansas City wants from the Missouri legislature in 2024
Kansas City’s Statehouse lobbying team holds big ambitions, and likely even bigger obstacles, for the Missouri legislative session that starts next month.
Here’s a list of some of Kansas City’s priorities this year, ranked by likelihood.
Posted inDIY Democracy, Elections, State Government
Constitutional amendments, shielding records from the public: Bills to watch in Missouri 2024
Takeaways: In a state where fees topping four figures effectively put public records out of reach, lawmakers want to put their written discussions about legislation completely out of view. Missouri lawmakers have looked to use the legislature for years to limit access to various democratic processes. They put limits on access to public records, rolled […]